Elgato Key Light Mini: The Ultimate Portable Lighting Solution
Whether you’re a content creator, a streamer, or just someone who needs high-quality lighting on the go, the Elgato Key Light Mini is a standout choice. Compact, versatile, and powerful, it packs some impressive features for its size. In this blog, we’ll break down its features, specs, design, and cost to give you a clear idea of what this product offers.
Breakdown
Design
9/10
The Elgato Key Light Mini sports a sleek and minimalistic design that blends well with almost any setup. Its small size (just slightly larger than a Plus/Max smartphone) makes it incredibly portable, and the flat, slim profile ensures it can be easily stored in a backpack or carried along for mobile shoots.
The body is durable, and the matte finish helps reduce reflections, which is particularly useful if you're using it in a professional streaming setup. The controls on the device itself are simple enough, but the real magic happens when you pair it with the Stream Deck or Elgato's Control Center app.
The magnetic back adds a lot of value to its design. You can easily attach the Key Light Mini to any metal surface, which means you don’t need to fiddle with clamps or stands unless you want to mount it on a tripod for more controlled placement.
Specs
8/10
Here’s a quick breakdown of the technical specifications of the Elgato Key Light Mini:
- Dimensions: 147 x 100 x 17 mm (5.8 x 3.9 x 0.67 in)
- Weight: 300 g (10.6 oz)
- Brightness: Up to 800 lumens
- Colour Temperature Range: 2,900K (warm) to 7,000K (cool)
- Battery Life: Around 2 hours at 100% brightness (longer at lower brightness levels)
- Charging: USB-C (with pass-through charging option)
- Mounting Options: Magnetic back, 1/4" thread for standard mounts
Features
8/10
The Key Light Mini is designed for those who need lighting that adapts to any environment. Here are some of its key features:
Wireless Control: One of the standout features is its compatibility with the Elgato Stream Deck, allowing you to easily control the light’s settings (such as brightness and colour temperature). This is my personal favourite feature, as it adds tremendous convenience. However, I did notice that the connection can be a bit spotty at times, with occasional disconnections.
Battery Power or Plugged-In Use: You can use the Key Light Mini either while it's plugged in or via its built-in rechargeable battery, making it incredibly versatile for both desk setups and on-the-go use.
Adjustable Brightness and Colour Temperature: The light can be adjusted between warm white and cool white (2,900K to 7,000K), so you can fine-tune it based on the environment or mood you’re looking to create. Plus, with up to 800 lumens of brightness, it provides more than enough light for most setups.
Magnetic Back: The magnetic back is a handy addition, allowing you to easily attach it to metal surfaces or stands, giving you flexibility with mounting options.
Price
10/10
One of the most attractive aspects of the Elgato Key Light Mini is its price point. Currently at around £69, it offers fantastic value for the range of features and flexibility it provides. Compared to other key lights, the Key Light Mini sits comfortably in a mid-range price bracket while offering functionality that rivals more expensive products.
Given the convenience of being able to control it via a Stream Deck, its adjustable brightness and temperature, and the portability of its battery-powered option, the price feels justified. If you’re someone who needs high-quality lighting for streaming or mobile content creation, it’s hard to beat the Elgato Key Light Mini.
Pros
Super Portable
Cons
Connection can be sketchy at times
Verdict
Great if you need portable studio lighting
Final Thoughts
The Elgato Key Light Mini is an excellent option for anyone looking for portable, high-quality lighting. Its seamless integration with the Stream Deck is a game-changer for streamers and creators who want to optimize their workflow. While the occasional disconnection issue with the Stream Deck is a small downside, the light’s overall performance and versatility more than make up for it. Combined with its competitive price, the Key Light Mini is definitely worth considering.
